When Strictly legend Len Goodman finally hung up his tuxedo and quit the dance show, he believed Anton Du Beke would be his successor on the judging panel… now, five years on the move has finally happened.
And the 77-year-old says: “Better late than never.”
He also revealed that when he watches the show these days he yells at former panel colleague Craig Revel Horwood over some of his comments to the dancers.
Speaking of 55-year-old former Strictly dancer Anton’s appointment, Len adds: “I’m really pleased my dear old chum Anton is getting his chance as a judge. I thought he was a natural to join the panel because he’s got his unique experience in that he’s been on the show and he knows what’s needed.”
That is not to say the former head judge does not think things have gone well since he left the show in 2016.
He adds with a smile: “Shirley’s done marvellously well, so I’m not saying it for that reason, but Anton’s getting on a bit isn’t he?
“Although he’s fit as a biscuit. I thought he’s been such a loyal person on that show from the first series, and let’s face it, he’s had some challenging partners to deal with.
“He’s got such a lovely personality, I’m sure the public will really love Anton. I thought, ‘Well I’m going, he’s a shoo-in to take my place.’ But I understand the need for a little bit of fresh blood.
“Shows are a bit like plants. Occasionally they need a little pruning to keep them healthy. You don’t want to pull it up and chop about with the roots but giving a show a little bit of a prune and new blood is good for it.”
Len still watches Strictly, with wife Sue, but he has already admitted he finds it hard because he is constantly pointing out things he thinks his former colleagues miss.
He adds: “I tried to watch just as a viewer. To just sit back and enjoy, because it’s lovely. However, I can’t. I’ve got my judge’s brain on.
“I look and go, ‘Oh no. He’s got very poor footwork’ or whatever, and then no one says anything, and I think, ‘Why didn’t you mention the footwork?’ So there I am screaming at Craig, who gives those ludicrous marks sometimes, like sticks up a three.
“My yardstick was you’d get one just for showing up. If you move your left foot you get two, if you move your right, three. If you just get through it you’ll get four, and it goes from there. He doesn’t think along the same lines though.”
Strictly is heading for its 19th series this autumn and as ITV rival X Factor gives up the ghost, Len, who was also on US show Dancing with the Stars for more than 10 years, reckons it has plenty of miles in the tank. He says: “When I was doing Strictly it was always neck and neck.
“You’d come in the following week and hear, ‘Ooh, X Factor beat us by half a million.’ Then the next week they’d say, ‘Ah, we beat X Factor by 250,000,’ and it went on like that for years.
